Covering box dumper



Dec. 4, 1951 G. M. PORTER COVERING BOX DUMPER 7 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Jan. 15, 1949 1951 G. M. PORTER COVERING BOX DUMPER 7 Sheets-Sheet -2 Filed Jan. 15, 1949 GZf/V/Y M PORTER INVENTOR.

Dec. 4, 1951 G. M. PORTER COVERING BOX DUMPER 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 15, 1949 M WSQ GZfN/Y M PORTER INVENTOR G. M. PORTER COVERING BOX DUMPER Dec. 4, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 15, 1949 G. M. PORTER COVERING BOX DUMPER Dec. 4, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 15, 1949 4777R/Vf) G. M. PORTER COVERING BOX DUMPER 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 NVENTOR.

ATTORNEY GZf/VM M P0197212 Dec. 4, 1951 Filed Jan. 15, 1949 Dec. 4, l95l G. M. PORTER COVERING BOX DUMPER Filed Jan. 15, 1949 7 Sheets- Sheet '7 VENTOR.

Patented Dec. 4, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COVERING BOX DUMPER Glenn M. Porter, Riverside, Calif., assignor to Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application January 15, 1949, Serial No. 71,110

'3 Claims. (01. 214-11) This invention relates to equipment for dumpin loose material from open boxes containing the same, and is particularly useful in packing houses, canneries and the like.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel and efiicient box dumper which is adapted to receive boxes from a conveyor on which said boxes are arranged in a line and successively invert and dump the contents from said boxes.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel and efiicient box dumper in which a cover is automatically applied to each of said open boxes while it is being inverted.

It is a further object to provide such a dumper in which the cover applied to the box while it is being dumped is employed as a delivery board inclined downwardly whereby the fruit or other product contained in the box rolls from said cover after being dumped thereon from said box, in which a device is provided for holding said cover in said inclined position for a sufficient interval for all the fruit to gravitate therefrom, and in which a mechanism is provided for then rapidly returning said cover to starting position.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide such a dumper having incorporated therein a means for feeding boxes to the dumping mechanism with the boxes traveling horizontally parallel to their longitudinal axis in single file and means for discharging the empty boxes after the contents have been dumped therefrom at the opposite end of the machine, in which the feeding and discharge mechanisms are interchangeable to prepare the machine for receiving boxes either from the right end or the left end thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a box dumper which covers the box and inverts it while covered to dump the contents from the box which is adapted forbeing readily altered in order for it to accommodate boxes differing substantially in size.

The manner of accomplishin the foregoing objects, as well as further objects and advantages, will be made manifest in the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: V

Fig. 1 is a left end elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

- Fig. 2 is a' front elevation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of Fig. 2 illustrating the left unit of th cover control mechanism. Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4- of Fig. 3 and shows theleit cover brake.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 3 and shows the left cover lock control device.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6-45 of Fig. 2 and illustrates a box positioned in the cradle of my invention in readiness to commence a dumping operation.

Fig. '7 illustrates the dumping cradle of the invention swinging upwardly with the box gripping mechanism actuated to grip said box and hold it in place on said cradle during the inversion of said box by said cradle.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 and illustrates said cradle and box just after said box has been swung upwardly into contact with the box cover of the dumper.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 and illustrates said cradle at the extremity of its box inverting travel at the moment it starts to return, which is also the moment that said cover is released from locked relation with said box, and falls downwardly a short distance against a supporting rest.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but illustrating the box dumpin cradle approaching the end of its return movement at the moment. when cover kickers on the cradle kick the cover upwardly to start it in its return to its starting position in which it is shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the line llll of Fig. l, and illustrates the invention feeding a filled box into the dumper and simultaneously discharging an empty box therefrom.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary diagrammatic sectional view taken on the line 12-42 of Fig. 1 and illustrates a modification of the feeding mechanism of the invention whereby the latter is placed at the left end of the machine to feed boxes into the machine from the left.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged diagrammatic view taken on the line l2|2 of Fig. l and illustrating the normal condition of the box feeding mechanism of the invention when it is located at the right end of the machine in between box dumping cycles of the machine.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 illustrating the manner in which the box feeding mechanism is actuated at the start of a box inverting cycle of the machine to withdraw the next box in line rearwardly out of close proximity to the box being dumped to prevent a collision between these two boxes during the dumping cycle.

Fig. 15 is a series of diagrammatic cross-sectional views taken on the line I5-l5 of Fig. 2

illustrating successive conditions of the left cover brake of the invention in each of six different points of time in a box dumping cycle of the invention. Said conditions in said respective points of time may be distinguished by the capi- 5 tal letters A, B, C, D, E and F.

Fig. lfi is a. series of diagrammatic sectional views taken on; the line |6l6 of Fig. l andillus: trating the condition of the box stop and clutch actuating switch at each of the six points QfiHlQw time aforesaid.

Fig. 17 is a series of diagrammatic-cross-sectional views taken on the line, 1.17.111 ofi-Eig. 2 and illustrating the condition ofl'the lefticove lock control cam at each of thesix peintsottime. l5 aforesaid of a box dumping cycle,

Fig. 18 is a series of diagrammatic 'cross sec tional views taken on the line l8l ii of Fig; 2 and illustrating the condition of the left cover lock of t e n en ion a each he si p int tim 20 aforesaid of a box dumping cycle,

" Fig. 19 is a series of "diagrammatic cross-seetional views taken on the line l9! 9 of Fig'g2'and illiistratingthe actuatin'gcarn of the bex :with drawing device of the feeder or" "theinvention at each'i'of the. six points of time afores'aidof a box dumping cycle.

Fig 2 Q.-i s a series of diagrammatic,.crossrsec tijOnal'Wiewstaken on'the line l6 l 5 of Fig. l andilliistrating the condition oftheboxwithdrawingjdevice of the feed nechanism oi theinvention' 'at each of the sixipoints of .timeaforesaid in abox dumping cycle Re err n p c l o h a ing m i ventionfasshown therein is embodied in a box dumperziihaving a structural steel frame 2;6,the latter ine u in front 7 1 o ts a 2 ea cornenposts' 29:.and 3B, horizontal members?! and '32 which connect'the front'corner posts 27' and 23;; and end horizontal inernbersti and 34 4o whichi'eonnect the front cornenposts z'i and 28 with rear corner'posts 29 and 30,; V

Journallin'g in bearings 35pr0videdon1 the rame 26. is a clut h ha t 6 car n 1 lu SIQfiWhic is provideda'master sprO ket'BS Land 43 onthe o rend-of which isfixed a'crarrk 3'9; av f eie, ank 4 5 he t h m ml edi'tby aiclu h a m, i which is iv t t. on' the -frame'it (Fig-11).- Also mounted on the frame, 25 is a solenoid 43 the armature'ofwhich at isLcohnected-by aired M to theclutch 'arm' 41;. In tsn rma i o tiion n which it hb n. n' is'. Ziandll; theeluteharm ii maintains the clutch inoperative, but when the solenoid 4 3 'is energized; the arnfr 'l is swung to momentarily'throw'infthe cluteh' and eauseit to rotate'the'shaft'35'a single revolution.

Also mounted on the frame 261s a gear box; thi s'hajving'a sprocket 49 and'a' shaft 58011 which is provided a sprocket 5 I Also mounted on the frame 25 is a variable speed geared motor 52 having a double drive sprocket'53' which is" connected by an endless cham'swith the clutch sprocket .38f'and by an (indies 50115 11155: with the gear box sprocket 5|.

Mounted on the members 3| and 33 at opposite ends of the machine is a box feed unit .Gfifan'd an em j y box, discharge unit 6E. The unit 6% includes a base 62 on which are journalle'dishafts 63fand64 carrying sprockets. fibiabout WhichLare trainedchains 66, the rearwardly extendingend of the shaft 63 also having. a double sprockets? Which'is connected by a ohainfifi to the gear box sprocket 49, whereby the shafts 63 and 6A of the unitBGIare constantly rotatedv ina directionto the members "I24 'are up feed boxes into the machine 25. Extending upwardly from the base 62 is a front box guide 69.

The feed unit 68 also includes a box retractor l5 including a cam track 16 and shaft 1'! which are fixed on the base 62, the cam track having an inclined portion 18 and a horizontal portion [9,. A hook Btnormallymests..oir the horizontal track. portion 79.;and hfas. a'acam following roller 8! which normally rests on the inclined track portion 78. Pivoted on the shaft 11, and having its upper end pivotally connected to the hook 8&1 is' aelever 82. The lower end of this lever is pivotallyconnectedto a link 83 (Fig. 11), the oppps'itefenchof which is pivotally connected to an arm 3rixed. .orr.a shaft 85 which is journalled in suitable bearings provided on the posts 21 and 2'95- The sha'fit 'als'oihas connected thereto a lever 86. .the inner end of which is connected by a spring 8T'to the frame so as to spring-urge the hook 80 nto it n rma sit n'sn wn n. F .3-. I

The" emp y'ib ei t ini ifilj nc u a se. J3; hari e'b arine intwhi bi "i o rna ld a's aft 9| "onwhich"'areiixedisprockets 9 Efhaving'chains 9 3 which merelyen cirolethfese sprockets and pro dQ WQ P su f i h r qr Thersh f 9 8 .5 ha a s ro ket 94 whic i .QnI ,eQted,'- via hain: ,5 he dpu rro k 'Q he rear emi the ha s a ur n -t e opera ion o f hp ach n 25 t e i a t" 9 and. pro ke s 92' a o i al y" t d: in z a. ire t ntq e ec an. empty oxi om the ma hhi when. t e. a ter s fed se ssrqqk'e s P d n: he as 0, i a olen i con r SWii h 5 a nen i pw rdlv" rri eeurgecI-a m d iofw bh'i nr vided i hja ro er, on. w ic a plat cm QXs Q 98 estsr drsmp having'a roller 'l80' andTbeingf pivoted at' I ill on ba e 1 The'iswitch 51 c nn cted 1 jr'the c r u of i h o e o d. 3- Q hat' ormally he o e q i o e erei 'edbnt 12 .1 de r s ing. he r he s lne df mqmenta y ene gized h wi n e cmichifl o eu e' a' h le evolu ion. he' ha t 36 Journalledin asuitabl'e bearing'providedon tlre ear of t ppere d f t e ost ls, acounter ha .5 h r s aster fi e on. the. n r nd e ofi nd atr nk lflf a d the outer erIditheremf;f the 'latterjhavingta crank pin I08: Connectingthe crankpins, '4flan'd 1'08 is a, pitman me;- the l'ength' 'of the crank l ilfb'eing such that when theisha ft 36f makes a zcornpiete lut o e in ing, m nd ng: wit e plosition' showmfor thiecrank in Fig. 2, the shaft N15 is merely rocked, by the CI'SJQKI 01'.

J nal-lee at its oppos t ends iuhe ings 110. provided on the front 'of'upper ends of the, corner pos 29 a 30 s aq dle and cove mountin sha 1 F xe i" hi Shaft ndmeshi e with the gear I this asrn'allertgear ,lvl 2 Also fixedjon the-shaft H l, isna. box; retractor aotuating .cam I l 3,"andgaipairrofflcradlehuhs .l 20 and [21. These h'ubjs, carry.v a, box inverting cradle I12 including normally vertieal Iarmss 1 23 1 0th hubs inland {IZI onithe I whichpare xed-ifor-wardlyextend ns suppor 124 'o iena adiustab a mo nt ed a pair of "roller conveyorsections. 125;. Ad justably, provided, on .-.the, outen end .portions..-of P tq ddwn the arms I23 and upnighits, L26 =ane.box{guides?1:21 and. [28,? Adjustablyfixed-on.thearzns |;23,-. and xtend n ar and iy from ne cq r kick -5 ers M9," the upper extremities;ofi-rthese being shod by brakerliningj 30;.

Fixed 'on shafts i 33; -and t35,,.which,are Joner nall ed between arms I23 and uprights I26 respectively', are box gripping jaws I35 and I36.

Also journalled on the arms I23 is a shaft I31 having arms I38 and I39. The arm I38 is connected by an adjustable link I40 to an arm I4I provided on the shaft I33. The link I 38 has a cam following roller I42. The jaw I35 is connected to'one of the arms I23 by a spring I43 which spring-urges this jaw upwardly.

' Supported on the horizontal members 3I is a horizontal cam track I50 on which the roller I42 rests when the cradle I22 is in its starting position as shown in Fig. 6, this contact rotating the shafts I33, I34 and I31 to swing the jaws-I35 and I36 downwardly out of gripping relation with a box B when the latter is positioned as shown in this figure. Whenever the cradle I22 is swung forwardly, however, to remove the rollers I42 from contact with the track I 50, the jaws I35 and I36 are swung forwardly by the springs I43 and I48 into gripping relation with the box B.

Fixed on upper end portions of the posts 29 .and 30, and extending inwardly therefrom, are

rectangular shaped brackets I5I and I52. Pivotally mounted between the post 29 and bracket I5I is a shaft I53 carrying a cam following arm I54, this arm being connected by a rod I55 to the outer end of the lever 86 (Figs. 3, 5, and 11).

Provided at opposite ends of the machine 25 are cover mounting and control mechanisms I56 and I51 which are reverse duplicates of each other so that a description of the left mechanism I56 will suffice for both. Reference to detail features of the right mechanism I51, however, may be made by use of the same numbers as are employed in describing corresponding details of the left mechanism I56 with prime attached.

The cover mounting and control mechanisms I56 and I51 include a shaft I60, opposite ends of which are secured by cap screws I6I to brackets I62 fixed upon and extending rearwardly from posts 29 and 30. The mechanism I56 has a sleeve I63 which is freely rotatable on the shaft III and is disposed between the cradle hub I20 and a collar I64 fixed on said shaft. This sleeve has a boss I65 on which an arm I66 of a box cover I61 is secured. Said sleeve also has welded thereon and projecting therefrom a spring mounting and bearing flange I68, a bearing ear I69, a stop arm I (Fig. 5), a spring fastening lug HI, and a pair of brake control cams I12.

The hub I also has a latch lug I16 welded thereon (Figs. 3 and 18).

Welded on the bracket I5I are latch cam control dogs I11 and I18 and a cover stop I19 (Fig. 5).

Journalled in aligned bearings provided in the flange I68 and ear I69 is a shaft I85 having a 1001: I86 welded on one end thereof, a control cam I61 welded on the opposite end thereof, and a spring lug I88 which is also welded on said shaft and extends horizontally therefrom. Connecting the lugs HI and I88 is a coil spring I89.

Mounted on the shaft I60 between apair of collars 200, is an arm 20I of a cover brake 202. The upper end of this arm has an arcuate portion 203 which is lined with brake lining204 which when brought against the sleeve I63 is concentric therewith and conforms to the outer surface of the sleeve. Pivotally mounted on said arcuate portion 203 is a pair of rollers 205 which are aligned with the brake control cams I12. Pivoted to the arm 20I at 206 is a cooperating arm 201, there being a bolt 208 extending through said arms carrying a spring 209 which springurges said arms together. Rotatably mounted on the upper end of the arm 201 is a roller 2I0 which constantly bears against the sleeve I63.

The brake control cams I12 are of sufiicient thickness that when the sleeve I63 is rotated to bring these cams under the rollers 205, the latter are raised to lift the brake lining 204 out of contact with the sleeve I63.

Operation The dumper 25 of my invention operates in the following manner:

Open topped boxes containing vegetables or fruit, which it is desired to dump from these, are fed along a suitable conveyor (not shown) onto the feeder 60 which propels these rapidly over the roller conveyor sections I25 of the cradle I22, and into contact with the roller I00 of the box stop 99.

This depresses the arm 91 of the switch 96 energizing the solenoid 43 and initiating a single revolution of the clutch 31. The rotation of this clutch rocks the shaft I II through substantially an angle of 105 from the position in which it is shown in Figs. 1 and 6 and then returns this shaft to said position.

At the start of this dumping cycle the elements of the apparatus shown in Figs. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 are conditioned as shown in the uppermost diagrams of these respective figures. The point of time (A) illustrated in these uppermost views is at the instant the box actuates the switch 96. In Fig. 17 it will be noted that at point (A) the cam I81 is in engagement with the dog I18 thereby rotating the shaft I85 and swinging the lock I86 downwardly out of the way of the lug I16 on the cradle hub I20. At this point rotation of the shaft I II has not yet started and the cam H3 and hook are in their starting positions as shown in Figs. 19 and 20.

Point of time (B) illustrated in the second set of diagrams in Figs. 15 to 20 inclusive follows an interval during which the shaft III has been swung a sufficient distance to rotate cam H3 and operate the hook 80 to retract a next-tothe-foremost box B in the opposite direction from that in which it travels on the feeder 60.

As before noted and as shown in Fig. '1 the box gripping jaws I35 and I36 have been here swung upwardly into gripping relation with box 13. The box, however, has still not contacted the cover I61 which occurs at point of time (C) illustrated in the third series of diagrams in Figs. 15 to 20 inclusive, and also illustrated in Fig, 8.

It is to be noted in Figs. 17 and 18 that at point of time (C) the initial rotation of the sleeve I63 removes the control cam I81 from contact with the dog I18 so as to permit the lock I86 to swing upwardly behind the dog I16 on the cradle hub I20 thereby locking the cover I61 in covering relation with box B as shown in Fig. 8 through the balance of the box inverting movement of the dumping cycle.

This movement terminates at point of time (D) as shown in Fig. 9 and as illustrated in the fourth series of diagrams of Figs. 15 to 20 inclusive. Here it is shown in Figs. 1'1 and 18 that the control cam 181 has been brought into engagement with the upper cam surface of the dog I11 thereby rotating the shaft I65 and withdrawing the lock I86 from behind the lug I16 thus releasing the cover "I61 and allowing it to drop a short distance downwardly until it comes be-- inclined= steeply downwardlyl- At 1 point of: time (D) the brake control-u camsl2: on the sleeve: let 13011211381; ou t of: supporting relation-with the rollers :2'fi5iwherebyr the brake 2 92" is rendered :operative' to hold the% cover: I 61 in 1 its downwardly; inclined position until i this: is positively swung; upwardly; away from :thatposition. The cover is thusfiheldin this position for an ample periodto allow all the fruit to gravitate therefrom"ontoa* conveyor 229 which is rslccatednin :a position. immediately therebelow so that the fruit rolls easily from the-coveronto the conveyor;

The-period allowed in aadumpinglcycle :61" forthevcovertonbewthusx cleared .offiruit is ample by. reason of the fact 'that the cradle: returns .-a*lmest/; to its-initial position beforeathis:positiomof:the coveris disturbed;v

This interval allowed for the discharge orfirui t' from the cover I'ST terminates atpoint of time (E) 'Wh'iCh is the instantshowrr Fig; at which the cr-adle- I22 is swung; back. towards :its initial position sufficiently torbring, ,the shoes 1'38 ofthe cover kicker intoicon'tact with the arms! tfib-fthe cover i 6? so: as to impart a-rapid 1y accelerating upward swinging, movement to theicoverv This-kicking of the coverit? swings this and the sleeve lfihonwhichit is; secured ina reversetdirectionzasufiicient distance-while the kickers aresti-ll in contact :with the cover tobring thecamlugs i'l2sunder-therollers- 2635 as shown in the fifth diagram sin-Fig. '15, which releases the brakes 282 and 23-2, so that-the-ccver is practically unretarded andflcontinues-to swing trapid-v ly back towardsthednitiaLposition in which it is shown in: Fig.- 6.

As .it approaches this position, .the. lugs I12 rider. outlfrom under the" rollers 2El5Tandthe brakes 2332 and 202. are set to decelerate the. rotati'on ofthecover justias. the stop. arms? llfl andi H3 come into contact withitheistops .I'IB- and H9? As the B is elevated in'itsndumping-cycle out of contact with th'eroller Hill; the spring actuating the switch armiBT'Ieturns the box stop 59 to its initial position shown' in Fig, ll'i'n which; it is underneath theffi'ont endof the box As arrival of the point 'oii'time "(FY in"the cycle of operation returns the ram I 1'3" to its original position permitting the arm'154 to rise and shift the hook 86 forwardly as-"sh'ow'n in'the fifth dia gram of Fig; 20,-the box B"; which isnext in line for delivery to the cradle-122'; isir'ee to'be pro= pelled forwardly by the feeder 6 3; b0X"'B" thus forcing empty box B" onto the box ejector sprockets 92-the rotation of which results in the rapid ejection of the empty-b020- B from the dumper 25 onto a suitable conveyor- (not shown)- and which is disposed to'receive the empties.-

As the empty box B- is thusejected-box B" is fed onto the cradle I22 and 'againstthe positioning stop 99 which halts this box in-the proper'posi tion onthe cradle and actuatesa second dumping cycle in which box B has its' contentsidiimped therefrom onto the conveyor 22-:in-" exactly -*the same i manner as hereinabove described for the dumpingiof box B.

As shown in :Fig. 9, the flange 16% is provide'dl with 'a series of holes 225 for "connecting the upper end of a coil springthereto; the lower end of. this spring being connectedito the frame26 :of the machine wherebyo'springs "226i and 22 6." assist; in the reverse swinging iof vthe cover- I 67" =to its 8 initial "position after the icover: has--been setinmotion relativelyrapidly and started omits-reeturn'movement by its being-kicked by:the-kickers I29 The'springsZZB are insufiicient'to overcome the retardingactionof the brakes 202 ande202 as :these are setatpoint of time (D) during-the interval that thewfruit isfree to gravitate the rearwardly and downwardly inclined cover.- These springs, however, are effective in preventing too rapid deceleration of the returningimovement of the cover 181,- whichis impartedmo-it by the-k-ickers l29.- V v I claim: V H

1. In:a box dumper, the combination of: abox inverting; cradle pivoted on a horizontal axis .a box cover pivoted onthe same'axis and swim-gable betweenzinitialand end positions; brake-means operative. to frictionally resist rotation of saidcover rwhile said cover is in either 0t said. posi tions but relatively:- inopera-tive to hinden rota-1 tion of said cover in: asubstantial arc-of swinging movement between said position-s; means responsive todelivery of arbox to said cradleto swi-ng said cradle toinvert said boxandthen retnrn saidcradlento its starting position grippers' to= retain said box in said cradle while-saidbox-is'inverted; saidcover in its initial position b'eingrengagedby said "box to cover the-latter; lock-means :responsive to movement of said cradle to lock:- saidcover in closing relation to said-box; meansrresponsive to movement of said cradleat therzsubstantial completion'ot the inversion of said box to release saidtlock means; thereby, swingingsaid coverit'o itse end position and leaving it there while saidcrad'le is returning to-itsstarting position-,thereby. dumping: the v contents -from saicl box onto said! cover; and means responsive tosaid cradleiclosely. approaching its-starting position tor-imparting a rapid swinging acceleration to -said coverf returning. the same from itsend-position: to .=its initialposition. V

2-.- A combination as in 'claim' "1 m which-athe means for accomplishing-the return-of the cover to= its; initial position comprises a kicker provided I onisaid cradlew-hich delivers-a kick to said cover latter by said brake means;.,andispring' means connected'to saidcover to urgesaid' covertowards itsinitial position and thereby decrease'decelera? tion' ofthe' motion impartedto saidcover bysaid kicker? GLENN PbR TERf REFERENCES CITED:

The following references "are "of recordinthe file'of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'IENTS' Number Name' Date 1,557,356 Stebl'er -i Oct-.i 13,1925 11,917,709- Grifiithietlal'; Jiil'yfl 1-,: 1933-: 1 9735167: Kimball' et a1; 7 Sept; 18;:1934 2344;664 

